One way of customizing your keyboard is by modifying it with a DSA profile keycap set. Keycaps come in a variety of styles, otherwise known as keycap profiles.
A keycap profile is the shape of keycaps on any given keyboard. Profiles have the main ergonomics, feel, and style goals in mind. DSA keycaps provide users with an alternative to standard OEM ones found on many keyboards.
What is a DSA keycap?
The DSA keycap family consists of medium-height spherical keycaps with consistent keycap uniformity across all rows. DSA keycaps have a low-profile design, unlike the polar-opposite SA keycaps, which have a tall, spherical design.
Although DSA keycap profile is not as popular as Cherry profile, many keyboard enthusiasts prefer DSA keycaps because they are very easy and fun to use for typing or gaming. If you like low-profile keycaps, you’ll love them. Because it is a low-profile keycap profile, it should be simple and easy to learn. However, they are not sculpted like their Cherry counterparts, which may be challenging.
DSA profile keycap manufacturers
Signature Plastics is the primary manufacturer of DSA profile keycaps. This keycap manufacturer based in the United States is well-known for producing DSA, SA, and DCS keycaps. After the unsuccessful DSS family, DSA keycaps were the second DIN-compliant keycap family. DSA keycaps were quickly followed by DCS keycaps, which stand for DIN standard height, cylindrical touch area, and sculptured keycap profile.
PBT dye-sub and reverse dye-sub are available in Cherry and DSA profiles made by Infinikey. On their website, they offer to work directly with independent designers and provide an email contact for that purpose, and they claim a prototype lead time of six weeks and a manufacturing lead time of four to six months. Other manufacturers do not specify these times, but these appear to be better than many based on typical group purchases.
What is the DSA profile good for?
Here is a quick layout of what makes DSA such an excellent keyboard type:
- Profile uniformity
- Availability, and adaptability
- A low-profile design is ideal for gaming.
- Unrivaled aesthetics
Is the DSA profile good for typing?
Although sculpted keycaps are usually preferred for gaming, these DSA keys are still a good option. For typing, the uniform profile may necessitate an adjustment period.
Is the DSA profile good for gaming?
When looking for the best keycaps for gaming, consider a few specific factors. First and foremost, a perfect gaming keycap should allow for faster finger movement across the keyboard. It should be soft to the touch as well. It should also be quite soft to the touch. MoreoverFinally, the registration of the key should be the quickest.
According to the votes of many people who have played mechanical keyboards for a long time, the best gaming keycap profile ranking should be CHERRY > OEM > SA >time.
XDA vs. DSA keycaps
Here is a quick chart detailing detailed the most notable differences between these two families of key profiles:
|
Features |
SA Keycap Profile | DSA Keycap Profile |
|
Profile |
Uniform |
|
|
Shape |
It is angled and spherical from the top |
Flat and Spherical Top |
|
Height |
Medium |
Short |
| Profile description | Spherical and angled |
Consistent height, spherical top |
Price Comparison
XDA full 140 keyset is about $20 to $50. In contrast, you can spend less than $20 on a DSA one. This is because DSA is much more available in comparison to XDA. However, with custom keycaps, this will be a different story.
Comfort and feel
This characteristic is entirely up to your preference. However, we can consult the general community vote on this one. Generally speaking, XDA has a full body that supports a much smoother typing experience.
DSA is much more friendly to those familiar with laptop or membrane keyboards.
Availability
There are two legit manufacturers that provide keycap in DSA type, whereas only Geekark produces XDA. Hene, DSA is more common and available to XDA.
Height Difference
DSA keycaps are 7.39 millimeters tall, which is comparable to standard OEM keycaps. The 9.1 mm height of XDA, however, may make the transition easier than switching to a keycap with an even lower profile.
SA vs DSA keycaps
|
Features |
SA Keycap Profile |
DSA Keycap Profile |
|
Profile |
Uniform | |
|
Shape |
It is angled and spherical from the top | Flat and Spherical Top |
|
Height |
Medium |
Short |
|
Profile description |
Spherical and angled |
Consistent height, spherical top |
Price Comparison
A budget SA keycap set will typically cost around $20 and $30. In contrast, an upper-end one will cost between $100 and $400. You can reduce the quantity for this price point to 1 keycap with an artisan-made keycap.
Comfort and Feel
SA is highly praised for its nostalgic feel. Moreover, this is an excellent key profile for gamers with great tracking and keystroke.
Availability
DSA is much more available in type, price, and manufacturers than SA.
Height Difference
SA (Spherical All) keycaps are among the tallest available, measuring 16.5 mm. They are over double in height when compared to DSA-made keycap.
Where can I buy DSA profile keycaps?
Here are a few great places to go for DSA profile keycap of many different shapes:
- Amazon: A great place to get in-stock keycaps quickly, and they do sell some unique profiles like SA, DSA, XDA, and other profiles not mentioned previously like MT3, which is sold by Drop on Amazon. Amazon may not have the best prices or selection here, but it has fast shipping and rarely has stock shortages.
- Banggood: Banggood is similar to Amazon in that they have a lot of cheaper options as well as a slightly better selection, but their shipping isn’t quite as good.
- KBDfans: KBDfans has a large selection of unique keycaps and is one of the best places to start because of its low prices and quick shipping.
Conclusion
Among keyboard enthusiasts, DSA is the go-to uniform profile. DSA keycaps have nicely textured surfaces and uniform, low-profile keycaps. Many users agree that DSA keycaps provide an unrivaled level of aesthetics, with many drawn to them solely.
Furthermore, many users prefer keycaps that resemble a laptop keyboard, which DSA keycaps do. If you choose the look and feel of uniform, low-profile keycaps, DSA keycaps are a must-try.
FAQs
What are DSA profile keycaps?
The DSA keycap family consists of medium-height spherical keycaps with consistent keycap uniformity across all rows, typically within 7.39 millimeters tall. DSA keycaps have a low-profile design, unlike the polar-opposite SA keycaps, which have a tall, spherical design.
Is the DSA profile good for typing?
It is decent for typing with a DSA keyboard. There’s not much to write home about, but it does provide a great typing experience, especially for those familiar with membrane or laptop keyboards.
Is the DSA profile good for gaming?
You can sure play games with DSA. However, they do not hold the best title for best or great keyboard for this activity. Leisure and relaxed games are the best to play with DSA, not tactical and combat games like League of Legends.
